The Wilmingtonian., 1887-12-10

CANYON OF THE RIO DE LAS ANIMAS.
where the river frets and foams, the SUMS
rays have never penetrated. pfe channel
narrows to mere fssure--tif walls on
either side are of solid granite The river
itself scarcely finds room tod t through.
The railroad is swung across ~ cam itselfi
on q hrssSge susneIf,ad ts1,rs., r rs iscnk
trusses, whose ends are frmi AZ sd5ad sinS
the rock on either side. This n ahe nar~
rowest portion Of the canyon,4 tiswell
named the "Royal Gorge,n for point Of
grandeur it is unexcelled in all the wonders
of this marvellous region. In these somber
recesses no flowers grow, no binds fly and the
solemnity is almost oppressive.
Passing out Of the gloom Of the Royal
Gorge the railway begins to scale the heights
of Marshall Pass, the wonderful pathway
over the continental divide AS the train
skirts along the mountain side, theprospeet
broadens, and soon valley aid stream lie far
below In an hours time the summit has been
reached, 10,S5S feet above the sea. Much
of the charm of Marshall Pass consists in
the fact that the scenery lies spread out be-
meath the railroad track, like some vast pan
orama The road winds around the lodges,
doubling on itself every few miles until you
can see at once four or five lines of track
climbing up the mountain side by successive
gradations. The foliage was exceedingly
beautiful. The frost had touched tie forest
trees into the rich and mellow tints of au-
tiImn, in striking contrast with the green of
tho pinyon pines and as sunshine and shadow
chased each other down the mountain side
with their varying effects Of highland shade
the hillsides resembled the rarest Persian
carpet, woven in ever novel and increasingly
beautiful designs.
Across n broad plateau and we enter thu
Black Canyon Of the Gunnison. In the judg-
ment of some it is grander than the Royal
Gorge. The red sandstone which forms its
sides is of peculiar dark hue, and gives sea
green color to the waters OF Cinnmaron river.
The whole scene seems TO be weird and un-
natural. A waterfall dashes down q height
of several hundred feet, and has almost the
color of ink, except where It is dashed to
spray on the rocks beneath. Here and there
the solid walls Of granite and sandstone are
broken into crags and pinnatles that tower
toward heaven 1000 and 5000 teet. The
most abrupt and isolated OF these peaks is
called the CluTeeand Needle, which has all
the grace and symmetry of a iCleopatran obe-
lisk, and stands like grim sentinel over the
CANYONS solitUdos Dusk came ON mace he-
fore the inspection Of Black Canyon was COM
pleted and tended to give evendeeler signifi-
caliceto the name it bears.
Reaching GunniSon at O'Clock, the eNcur-
sionists We're surprised to find mammoth
hotel-La Veta by name--three and four
stories high, occupying an entire block, ele-
gantly furnished throughout, with table and
general service unsurpassed by aqy hotel in
the country. Here the youH6 folks of Gun
nison had arranged to give a ball in honor Of
the visitors, and festivities were kept up till
a late honr. Gunnison has coal and iron in
abundance, and while its progress has been
temporarily checked, the time is evidently
not far distant when Gunnison will be called
upon to step to the front.
Next day, as the train sped up the Gmlnson
valley to meet the coming sun, which had
kissed the blusling snow peaks, changed the
clouds into vermilion seas, Rnd'cONeIed with
gold the distant mountain slopes, the excur-
sionists become part of the scene and gaze
speechless with admiration, on utter the
superlatives of the language in the vain
attempts to express their surcharged feelings.
lawfully sublime, are these, thy glorious
works, o Godln
Turning back toward Pueblo, We this day
caught sight OF the first large game. while
passing through the Grand Canyon of the
Arkansas, two Rocky mountain sheep came
down gorge, and springing upon huge
rock looked with staring eyes at the passing
train.
Reaching the "Pittsburg of the West, = the
association became the guests OF the Colorado
Land and Loan company. Carriages were
" waiting, and the itinerants were driven to
the Grand hotel where a sunlptuous dinner
was had. After a two houis' rest and social
the party was escorted to the depot, Here a
special train of elegant sleepdrs was waiting
to convey the editors southward 10 "sunny
San Luis Rocked to sleep BY the gentle
swaying of the cars, the company enjoyed
restful night, and We're quite ready for the
mountain trout breakfast at O'clock served
by the ladies of Monte Vista.
San Luis park lies snugly tucked away be-
tween two sheltering arms of mountains
the main range of the Rockies and an east
ward Jrending spur known as the Sangre de
Christie. 1t is state in itself, being nearly
twice as large as Rhode Island, Connecticut
and Delaware combined II is gently undu-
lating and gradually sloping, with for the
most part a fertile soil, easily cultivated and
made very productive by irrigation.
At an altitude of over 1000 feet the climate
is salubrious, the air clear and invigorating.
Though the winters are iong. yef rne yFes.sas.
is at no time severely cold as in the great
prairie states of the northwest. The summers
are short, commencing about the lst ef june
ard 's2stinuipa walton tet Q, ,tob.r.